Franchise Associate Attorney

Donahue Fitzgerald; Oakland (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Donahue Fitzgerald, LLP in Oakland seeks a mid-level attorney with transactional experience to join our IP Practice Group and expand into franchise law. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled attorney to gain experience in franchise matters while serving as outside general counsel for clients.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of complex transactional experience, a Juris Doctor from an accredited law school, and California Bar admission in good standing.

Qualifications

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school.
• California Bar license in good standing.
• 3–5 years of transactional experience in corporate and commercial matters.
• Strong drafting and negotiating skills.
• Ability to interface with clients and work both independently and in a team.

Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts including master service agreements, licenses, and customer contracts.
• Drafting and revising Franchise Disclosure Documents and related agreements.
• Responding to regulatory comment letters.
• Advising on compliance with federal and state franchise laws.
• Advising on franchise sales compliance, renewals, and terminations.
• Researching and advising on a variety of legal issues.
• Managing client communications and expectations.
• Participating in business development within the franchise community.

Skills

Drafting contracts

Negotiation skills

Communication

Independent work

Team collaboration

Tech-literate

Education

Juris Doctor degree

Tools

MS Office Suite

Document Management System

AI-powered legal research tools

Job description

Salary Range: $160,000.00 To $190,000.00 Annually

Donahue Fitzgerald, LLP seeks a Mid-Level Attorney with transactional experience to join our IP Practice Group in our Oakland office. This is an excellent opportunity for a skilled transactional attorney looking to expand their expertise into the exciting and dynamic field of Franchise Law. While prior experience in franchise law is a plus, we are committed to training the right candidate and providing the resources necessary to become a successful franchise law practitioner and serve as outside general counsel for clients.

The ideal candidate will have 3 – 5 years of experience in complex transactional matters. Our practice primarily represents franchisors from a wide variety of industries. This position is well-suited for someone motivated by intellectual challenges, who enjoys working with a talented team of legal professionals, and who wants to work for a firm with an established path to partnership.

As a transactional attorney, you will play a key role in advising clients on various matters. You will work closely with partners, gaining hands‑on experience in:

Duties & Responsibilities

• Drafting, reviewing, and negotiating contracts, including master service agreements, license agreements, and customer contracts


• Drafting and revising Franchise Disclosure Documents and related contractual agreements


• Responding to comment letters from state regulators


• Advising clients on compliance with federal and state franchise laws and regulations


• Advising clients regarding franchise sales compliance, renewals, and terminations


• Analyzing and implementing exemption-based franchise sales strategies


• Researching and providing advice regarding a variety of legal issues


• Managing client communication and expectations


• Participating in business development activities and networking within the franchise community

Knowledge, Skills, and Educational Requirements

• Juris Doctor degree from an accredited law school


• California Bar license in good standing


• Must have 3 - 5 years of transactional experience, including contract analysis and drafting and advising clients in corporate and commercial matters; Litigation, Trademark, Regulatory compliance, and/or Data Privacy experience is not required but a significant plus


• Strong drafting and negotiating skills


• Familiarity with AI-powered legal research and drafting tools, with a commitment to leveraging technology for efficiency while maintaining strict confidentiality and professional accuracy


• Superior verbal and written communication skills


• Must be a self-starter with outstanding organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments independently


• Ability to interface with clients regularly and provide sound legal advice with practical business considerations


• Strong attention to detail is a must


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills


• The ability to work independently and as part of a team


• A genuine interest in learning and developing expertise in franchise law


• Proficient with MS Office Suite and a Document Management System desired

This is an exciting opportunity to join a well-established firm that offers interesting work, a collaborative working environment, opportunities to support pro bono activities, and competitive benefits.

Salary range: $160,000 to $190,000. The salary range does not guarantee, obligate, nor set expectations of an applicant’s salary in the event of hire. Actual compensation will depend upon a number of factors, including but not limited to the candidate’s years of experience, qualifications, and skill set.